Antibody-independent protection against heterologous SARS-CoV-2 challenge conferred by prior infection or vaccination.

ABSTRACT: Vaccines have reduced severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) morbidity and mortality, yet emerging variants challenge their effectiveness. The prevailing approach to updating vaccines targets the antibody response, operating under the presumption that it is the primary defense mechanism following vaccination or infection. This perspective, however, can overlook the role of T cells, particularly when antibody levels are low or absent. Here we show, through studies in mouse models lacking antibodies but maintaining functional B cells and lymphoid organs, that immunity conferred by prior infection or mRNA vaccination can protect against SARS-CoV-2 challenge independently of antibodies. Our findings, using three distinct models inclusive of a novel human/mouse ACE2 hybrid

SUBMITTER: Fumagalli V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11003867 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature